Loose-leaf binder



Feb. 11, 1941. R '0; UNGER 2,231,099

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed July 51, 19359 2 Sheets-Sheet l fia] 2 2 Z7 20 Pad/ 1 M75? Feb. 11, 1941. P, o. UNGER LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed July 51, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I III WIIIIIIIM rill l IIIIIIII II| five/2mm Paw Z 0 Zmger Patented Feb. 11, 1941 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Paul 0. Unger, Elmhurst, 111., assignor to Wilson- Massachusetts .lones Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Application July 31, 1939, Serial No. 287,448

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a loose-leaf binder of the record book type and particularly to a temporary lock for the same.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple and efiicient lock to prevent tampering with the sheets before the binder is permanently locked. It is a further object of this invention to provide a temporary lock that may be readily assembled in a loose-leaf binder. Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a loose-leaf binder embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the binder with one of the handles removed;

Figure 3 is a view taken along the line IIIIII of Figure 2 with a portion of the rounded back broken away;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line VV of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the lock in unlocked position; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in disassociated position.

In the drawings the reference numeral 2 indicates a fiat back member to which a pair of cover members 3 is secured by means of hinges 4. The hinges 1 include double hinge leaf members 5 by means of which a rounded back 6 is secured to the structure. The double hinge 5 is constructed so as to clamp the edges of a strip '1 of binding material covering the exposed face of the rounded back and the ends of a flap 8 projecting from each cover member 3 to effectively conceal the metal hinge 4.

A sheath 9 extends along each longitudinal edge of the fiat back member 2. Each sheath is notched, as indicated at H], to receive one end of a sheet retaining post H. A pintle slide I2 is mounted in each sheath and has a plurality of pintles l3 adapted to traverse the notches Ill and engage the sheet retaining posts II to hold them in the binder. The pintle slide is provided with a removable handle M- to facilitate movement of the pintle slide. The pintle slide is preferably provided with a spring 55 (Figure to propel the slide inwardly when the finger pull I4 is released. When the finger pull M is removed from the slide the spring propels the slide inwardly beyond its normal path of travel until a permanent locking member (not shown) engages a notch (not shown) to lock the binder permanently.

A look housing It is riveted to the fiat back member 2 and a lock cylinder I'l projects into an aperture is in the front end IQ of the rounded back 6. An escutcheon plate 26 is secured to the front wall iii-around the aperture 18 to provide a neat appearance. The shaft 21 passing through the cylinder 17 projects beyond the rear of the housing 16 and is provided with a right angle extension 22.

The mechanism for locking the pintle slides against movement comprises a cross arm 23 having a pair of upstanding ears 24 at its opposite edges. The cross arm is provided with a trough 25 having one straight wall 26 and one curved wall 21. A plate member 28 is welded to the cross arm 23 and is hinged to the lock housing It, as indicated at 29. The right angle extension 22 of the shaft 21 fits in the trough 25 and is adapted to move the plate member 28 and the cross arm 23 around the pivot 29 when the shaft 21 is rotated by means of a key 311.

The flat back 2 and each sheath 9 are apertured at 31 and 32, respectively, to allow the cars 24 to project therethrough. Each of the pintle slides I2 is notched on its lower edge to engage the end of an adjacent ear 24, as indicated at 33. The notches 33 are of sufiicient length so that if the handles 14 are removed from the slides l2 the notches will not interfere with the movement of the slides to permanently locked position.

The operation of the locking mechanism is quite simple. Looking at Figure 4 of the drawings, the position of the shaft 2| is fixed relative to the fiat back member 2. When the shaft is in the position shown in full lines the extension 22 engages the plate member 28 to hold the locking mechanism up against the flat back 2 with its ears 24 in engagement with the notches 33 to prevent movement of the pintle slides. When the shaft 2| is rotated by means of the key to the position indicated in dotted lines, the extension 22 forces the cross arm 23 downwardly to disengage the cars 24 from the notches 33 and permits the movement of the pintle slides. The straight wall 26 of the trough limits the rotation of the shaft to provide a proper stop so that the key can be removed when the pintle slides are locked against movement. The lock is so constructed that this is the only position of the shaft that will permit removal of the key.

As will be seen in Figure 7, the cross arm 23 is not integral with the plate 28. This arrangement is preferred because the plate 28 and the lock Hi can be stocked as one item. The cross arms may be made in several different lengths to fit loose leaf binders of different capacities. When an order is received for binders of a certain capacity, the proper cross arms 23 may be welded to the plate member 28 and the whole unit can be assembled in the minimum of labor.

Although I have described one embodiment of my invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact details of construction described, except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of pintle slides, a housing, means hinged to said housing and engageable with said slides to prevent movement thereof, and a shaft in said housing rotatable to move said means about its hinge.

2. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of pintle slides movably mounted in said binder, a cross arm provided with an upstanding ear engaging each of said slides, and a key operated shaft engaging said cross arm to move said cars into and binder with a out .of engagement with said slides to prevent or to permit movement of said slides.

3. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member, a.

pair of sheaths extending along opposite longitudinal edges of said back member, each of said sheaths having an aperture in its lower edge, a pintle slide in each of said sheaths, said slides being notched on their lower edges to register with said apertures when said pintle slides are in one position, a cross arm pivoted to swing vertically relative to said pintle slides, said cross arm having upstanding ears projecting through said apertures into said notches, and key operated means for moving said ears out of said notches simultaneously.

4. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member provided with sheaths extending along its longitudinal edges, a pintle slide in each of said sheaths, a housing secured to said back member, a cylinder lock carried by said housing, a shaft projecting through said cylinder beyond the inner end of said housing, said shaft having a right angle projection at its end, a cross arm hingedly connected to said housing engaging said right angle projection and movable thereby upon rotation of said shaft, and a pair of ears projecting from said cross arm and engageable with said pintle slides to prevent movement of said pintle slides.

PAUL O. UNGER. 

